Fluorine-containing ethyl disulfides



United States Patent 01 Patented Oct. 21, 1969 US. Cl. 260-608 11 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE Fluorine-containing ethyl organic disulfides of the formula wherein R can be an alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, lower alkenyl, phenyl, halophenyl, lower alkyl phenyl wherein said lower alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenalkyl, wherein said alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and naphthyl; R R R and R can be hydrogen, fluorine, and chlorine, at least two of said R R R and R are fluorine or chlorine of which at least one is a fluorine atom; for example, 2,2-difluoro-2-chloroethyl n-butyl disulfide, 1,1- difluoro-Z-chloroethyl n-butyl disulfide, 2,2-difluoro-1,l,2- trichloroethyl benzyl disulfide, and l-fluoro-l,2,2,2-tetrachloroethyl phenethyl disulfid-e. Extremely eflective for controlling and inhibiting the growth of fungi such as Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp., and controlling the acarid, two-spotted mite, Tetranychus telarius (Linn).

This application is a continuation-in-part of application, Ser. No. 520,091, filed J an. 12, 1966, which is a continuation of application, Ser. No. 351,533, filed Mar. 12, 1964 both now abandoned.

This invention relates to new and useful sulfur-containing compounds, and more particularly, to improved fungicides and acaricid'es. More specifically, this invention relates to the preparation and use of new chemical compounds, halogenated ethyl organic disulfides of the formula wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, lower alkenyl, phenyl, halophenyl, lower alkyl phenyl wherein said lower alkyl portion contams 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenalkyl, wherein said alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and naphthyl; R R R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, and chlorine, at least two of said R R R and R are fluorine or chlorine of which at least one is a fluorine atom. Substituted derivatives of R can also be used in the compositions of this invention. Whereas, it is the novel nature and placement of the halogens in the halogenated ethyl radical which is believed to impart to the compounds their superior physiological activity. Thus, additional substituents on the R radical may be alkyl, aryl, halogen and the like.

Examples of alkyl groups containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms are methyl, ethyl, normal propyl, isopropyl, normal butyl, secondary butyl, isobutyl, tertiary butyl, amyl, hexyl, heptyl, and octyl. Examples of lower alkyl portions that can be substituted on a alkylphenyl and which contain 1 to 4 carbon atoms are methyl, ethyl, normal propyl, isopropyl, normal butyl, secondary .butyl, isobutyl, and tertiary butyl. Further examples of phenalkyl substituent-s wherein said alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms are benzyl, phenyl ethano, phenyl propane, phenyl butano. It will be observed that all of these compounds have at least one fluorine atom in the haloethyl group adjacent to the sulfur atom. In contrast, the compounds of Aichenegg et aL, Patent 3,141,045, are saturated disulfides which have haloethyl groups wherein the halo atoms are chlorine or bromine.

It has been found that fluorine-containing halogenated ethyl organic disulfides are extremely effective for controlling and inhibiting the growth of fungi and acarids. It is the presence of the halogenated ethyl radical which provides new and valuable characteristics for the compounds of the present invention. These compounds may therefore be used as novel ingredients in physiologically active compositions.

The sulfenyl chlorides used in the preparation of the disulfides of the instant invention are inherently a mixture of isomers. For example, the isomeric mixture represented by --C H ClF when derived from the starting materials CF =CH and SCl is CF ClCH and CH C1CF for -C Cl F when derived from CF =CCl and S01 is CF ClCCl and CCl CF and for C Cl F when derived from CCl =CClF and S01 is CCl CFCl and CFCl CCl The compounds of this invention which can be used in active preparations may be prepared in general by the condensation reaction of a fluorine-containing halogenated ethane sulfenyl chloride with the appropriate mercaptan. The reaction is carried out in an inert solvent or preferably in no solvent. Approximately stoichiometric quantities of fluorine-containing halogenated ethyl sulfenyl chloride was added to the appropriate mercaptan. The reaction appears to be very fast when carried out at about room temperature. In most cases the reaction was allowed to proceed for /2 to 2 hours. If the reaction becomes very vigorous with the evolution of heat, cooling may be necessary. The product is recovered by removal of the byproduct hydrogen halide and the inert solvent in vacuo.

The compounds of the present invention may be made in accordance with the following non-limiting example.

EXAMPLE Difluoromonochloroethyl n-butyl disulfide was prepared by the addition of 5.5 ml. (0.050 mole) of difluoromonochloroethane sulfenyl chloride to 6.4 ml. of n-butyl mercaptan. The addition was accomplished over a period of about 5 minutes at room temperature. Hydrogen chlo- .centages of the sulfenyl chlorides were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance investigation.

The following is a list of the compounds prepared following the aforedescribed procedures. Compound numbers have been assigned to each compound and are used throughout the balance of the application.

l N0. 1 prepared in the example.

As previously mentioned, the herein described compositions produced in the above described manner are physiologically active compounds which are useful and valuable in controlling various organisms. The compounds of this invention were tested as fungicides in the following manner.

In vitro fungicide evaluation test.-The compounds were tested against growing fungi in an artificial medium. Fungi are tested in vitro starting with two l-ounce vials partially filled with malt broth. The compound to be tested was placed in the vials at the desired concentration (expressed in parts per million) and mixed with the broth. The vials were inoculated with a water suspension of spores of the desired fungi. The fungi used for this test were Aspergillus niger and Penicillium sp. The bottles were then sealed and held for one week, after which time the results were observed and noted. The data obtained in this manner is presented in the table under In vitro vial testAspergillus niger and Penicillium sp.

Soil fungicide incorporation test.-In this test the activity of a compound is determined against soil-borne pathogenic fungi. Fusarium solani was the fungus used in this test. Spores of the fungus were added to a larger portion of soil and then l-pound portions were placed in quart jars. The chemical to be tested was pipetted into the fungus infested soil at a predetermined rate, mixed thoroughly, and then placed in a paper container. Beans were planted into the Fusarium solani-infested and treated soil. Three to four weeks lataer the plants were inspected for disease symptoms. The lowest concentrations which prevented development of disease symptoms are reported. The results obtained with compounds of this invention are given in the table under soil fungicide testFusarium solani.

TABLE-CONCENTRATION (p. .m.) WHICH ALLOWED NO GROWTH OF UNGI S011 In Vrtro Vial Test Fungicldo Test, Aspergillus Penicillium Fuaarium niger sp. aolam' Compound Number- I 5 l 5 l 2. 5 l 5 l 5 l 2. 5 1 5 l 5 l 2. 5 l 5 1 5 55 l 5 l 5 1 2. 5 l 5 i 5 l 2. 5 1 5 l 5 l 2. 5 I 5 l 5 3 5 1 5 2 5 50 1 5 12 25 10 2 5 l 5 5 110 10 1 5 i 13 l 5 5 110 10 10 2. 5 l 5 l 5 13 l 5 1 5 27 l 5 l 5 3 13 5 1 5 2 2. 5 1 5 l 5 l 2. 5 10 2 5 110 3 5 2 5 3 2. 5 25 50 110 I Lowest rate tested. 2 Partial control.

The compounds of the present invention were also found to be particularly effective in the control of the two-spotted mite, Tetranychus telarius (Linn.).

The particularly preferred compounds of the present invention are the substituted difiuoromonochloroethyl disulfides in which the R is a member as defined, supra. These compounds are readily available from the reaction of the appropriate mercaptan and difiuoromonochloroethyl sulfenyl chloride. These compounds are effective in the control of fungi and acarids.

The organic disulfides described in the present invention may be applied in their use as fungicides and acaricides in a variety of ways at various concentrations. They may be combined with suitable carriers and applied as dusts, sprays, or drenches. The amount applied will depend upon the nature of the utility. The rate of application may also vary with the biological use intended.

We claim:

1. A compound having the formula wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, cyclohexyl, lower alkenyl, phenyl, halophenyl, lower alkyl phenyl wherein said lower alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, phenalkyl, wherein said alkyl portion contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and naphthyl; R R R and R are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, fluorine, and chlorine, at least two of said R R R and R are fluorine or chlorine of which at least one is a fluorine atom.

2. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is n-butyl, R and R are fiuorines, and R and R are fluorines.

3. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is n-butyl, R and R are fiuorines, and R and R are hydrogens.

4. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is benzyl, R and R are hydrogens, and R and R are fluorines.

5. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is benzyl, R and R are fiuorines, and R and R are hydrogens.

6. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is allyl, R and R are hydrogens, and R and R are fluorines.

7. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is allyl, R and R are fluorines, and R and R are hydrogens.

8. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is 6 11. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is ethyl, R R and R are chlorines, and R is fluorine.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,006,964 10/ 1961 Oesterling 260608 3,141,045 7/1964 Aichenegg 260608 ethyl R2 and R3 are Mines, and R4 and R5 are 10 CHARLES B.PARKER, Primary Examiner fluorines.

9. A compound according to claim 1 wherein R is ethyl, R and R are fluorines, and R and R are chlorines.

D. R. PHILLIPS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

10. A compound according to claim 1 Where R is 15 424 ..33

jig}??? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3 Jfll 146 Dated Oct 21, 1969 Inventofls) Don R. Baker Harry A. Pacini and Thomas B. Williamsc It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4, CLAIM 2, the portion reading R and R 3 are fluorines,"

should read R and R are hydrogens SEP 2 3 EN (S Attesl:

Edwarduflaldngh Attesting Offioer mm: x. saaumm, as

Commissioner of Patents 

